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You are turning to such an awesome little kid. You are so much fun and we just love spending time with you.

You have really become quite the little momma to your baby doll. We can’t leave the house without it most days. You are quite sweet with her, pretending to feed her, rock her, wrap her up in a blanket, and put her to sleep, unless you are mad, then you are kind of a mean momma and baby tends to get thrown. I’m a little worried for our future grandchildren. ;)

The speed at which you are picking up things these days just amazes me. When you are finished with something you will throw your trash away. You know how to close cabinet doors and are always careful to watch your fingers. You know where things belong in the house and will help put things away. When we read books I can ask you where something is and you will point to it on the page. You love to pretend and it is just so much fun to play together.

You now have four teeth up on top and still just the two on the bottom. You were kind of attached to your Wubbanub again for a bit while since those four upper teeth were all coming in at once, but you’ve since forgotten about it again. Unless you are super sleepy and fighting sleep. Then we let you have it and you are asleep within five minutes. I’m convinced it’s magic.

We went to the zoo with Grandma. You were excited to show her the penguins.

This summer has still been really hot. So there hasn’t been as much time spent outside as I had hoped for. When the temperature is near 100 and the heat index is 110 I just can’t keep you out there that long. It’s not fun when the swing and the slide can burn you. Instead we opted for ice cream this last weekend to celebrate you turning 16 months old. You were happy about that decision.

Sweet girl, you are such a joy in our lives. There were so many days where we weren’t sure if our hearts would ever feel joy again after we lost your brother. Oh, sweet darling, how you have filled our hearts with more joy and love than we ever thought possible. You are a light not just in our lives, but everywhere we go. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave us you. We are so proud of you.

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Since Patrick had to work, I invited my mom to come with Madeline and me to the Friends of the Zoo breakfast event. It was a little rainy at first, but it was still fun. Of course, we spent the majority of our time in the penguin exhibit, but that’s okay. They are Maddy’s favorite and mine too.

Madeline got to watch them feed the penguins.

There was a hole in the ice where they would swim under and then pop up.

Madeline thought it was pretty fun when they would walk over close to her.

She loved getting to show Grandma her favorite penguins.

She loves to just chill at the zoo. Right before I took this photo she had both feet up on the tray. She is such a goofy girl.

You are 14 months old! Time just keeps speeding by and you are growing up and changing every day from baby to more toddler despite my futile attempts to hold you and rock you like a little baby. You look at me and I can just tell what you are thinking, “Mom, I’m too big for this. Put me down, I’ve got stuff to do.” I’ve got news for you little one, I will continue to hold you and try and rock you like a little baby until you no longer fit in my arms.

This last month has been busy like usual. We got to celebrate our 2nd Mother’s Day with you. I am so glad that I get to be your momma. It’s pretty much my favorite thing ever right next to being your daddy’s wife. You both are my world and I love you both so much.

We had your follow-up doctor’s appointment this last month and of course everything was great. We met with your regular pediatrician who couldn’t understand why the other doctor was worried in the first place. Silly doctors.

We actually all 3 got to enjoy a full 3-day weekend over Memorial Day. That was a nice change of pace. We really didn’t do anything super exciting, but it was just nice to all be together with no urgent need to be anywhere.

We did however go to the Farmer’s Market. We went a lot last year, and that’s the plan for this summer too. It was pretty chilly out that morning, but you enjoyed your sample of bread and loved looking around at all the people.

You have perfected the temper tantrum and pout lately. I can’t say I’m a huge fan. If you don’t get something you want or if it’s time to leave when you are still playing you throw a HUGE fit. You cry and throw yourself backwards and basically become a limp, screaming, noodle. Not fun. Now your little pouty face however, that is pretty darn cute. If you are just mildly upset about something you will scrunch your nose up, pucker out your lips and just whine. It’s so hard not to giggle every time you do it.

For the most part though you are a pretty chill kid. You love to sit quietly and play. You have an amazingly long attention span for a one year old. I’m always impressed with how long you will play with one toy. I’m still not sure if you have any favorites, but you do love your Mega Blocks.

We made our annual trip down to downtown Lee’s Summit for their Downtown Days festival. You absolutely loved watching the animals at the little petting zoo. You were a bit startled when the pony stuck his head out of the fence and tried to say hi to you, but then you just smiled and laughed. I love how fascinated you are by life. It is truly amazing to see everything again through your pretty brownish-blue eyes. It was pretty hot out that day so you got your very first ice cream cone. You dove in face first. It was pretty funny to watch. After a couple bites we went with a cup and spoon to finish it off. Much less messy that way, but probably not nearly as fun.

Your fourth little tooth is finally peaking its way through. Eventually you will get all of your teeth…

You have been a dancing fool lately. You’ve been “dancing” for a while now, but lately it has become pretty much your favorite thing ever. Every time you hear music of any kind you get to dancing. You shake your hips and shimmy your shoulders and move your arms. You totally feel the music and it is just the cutest thing of all time in the history of ever.

This month we also (finally) installed your big girl car seats in both cars. No more having to lug that infant seat in and out all the time. You seem much happier in your new seats with lots more room. You do pretty well in the car (most the time). You like to look out the window, wiggle to the radio, and “talk” to me while we drive.

You love to give kisses and hugs and each kiss you give with a big “MUAH.”

You shake your head no when you are done with something or to tell me you don’t want any more food. You love chicken, pasta, meatballs, mashed potatoes, cheese, applesauce, yogurt, green smoothies/juice, oranges, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, green beans, goldfish crackers, graham crackers, water, and of course milk.

You love Sophie and she is slowly starting to warm up to you.

You love books and blocks and your water/sand table and to color. You love to push your little walker all around the house, but you still don’t want to let go. You will pick it up and turn it around when you get to the edge of the room, but you still think you need to hold on. You’ll get there eventually. I’m trying to stay patient.

You are just full of personality and joy. Everywhere we go you smile and greet the people you pass and I like to think that your little smile brightens their day just a little bit. You are a ray of sunshine my sweet little rainbow and I am just so blessed that you are mine.

Today, my sweet girl, you are one whole year old! That’s 12 months, 365.242 days, 8,765.81 hours, or 525,949 minutes that you have filled our lives and hearts with so much joy, love, grace, and beauty. You have filled my heart to overflowing, my darling girl.

As usual, this last month has been amazing and full of so many fun things.

You got to meet the Easter Bunny for the first time. You weren’t a fan.

We got to see even more of your photos used by Hallmark and Hallmark Baby.

You’ve learned to blow kisses, which seriously is the cutest thing ever.

You say “huh” and shake your head “no” a lot. So far we still think it’s pretty funny.

We celebrated your first St. Patrick’s Day and your second Easter.

We even let you “help” dye eggs and you loved finding the “hidden” eggs on Easter morning.

You are still not quite walking. Though you are just so close. You are so fast when cruising along the furniture and you will even let go and take a couple small steps while making your way from the table to the couch, but you always grab right back on. You can do it, you just aren’t convinced quite yet.

One of the funniest things you have been doing this last month is dancing. You have always loved music. I used to be able to make you stop crying instantly just by playing Katy Perry’s song Roar. Now, you have learned to “dance.” Your current favorite song is Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Every time you hear it, you stop whatever you are doing and start bouncing to the beat. It is just so cute!

Your personality is really shining these days. We are getting to see little glimpses of the big kid that you going to become and it is so much fun.

You have the sweetest smile I have ever seen, and you absolutely love to share that smile with others and wave at everyone you see. We can’t get through the store without you charming your way into the hearts of all of your fellow shoppers. People love to stop and talk to you and tell you how pretty you are. You eat it up. You turn on the charm and smile and “talk” with them. For a baby who has brought the sunshine back into our lives, it is amazing to see you shine that amazing light on others too.